In March of 2016 I dropped units and became a part-time student. I know this effects payments so I changed my study load on the app. I did this before AUSTUDY payments came out. Apparently I did not give them enough notice, I received the payment and thought 'ok well that's nice, I still get money for being part-time'. I told Centrelink that I had received the payment and nothing was done, then at the end of the semester I was contacted about paying them back.
At the moment I have paid $500 as it has been pending investigation since May 2016. Still pending.
I realise that I was not supposed to receive the payment, however what other way is someone supposed to inform them if you wait on hold for 3 hours on the phone, and if you try and go in person they turn you away saying that they do not have AUSTUDY staff in the office. I did everything I could to update them.
I told them I wasn't studying, then they paid me.
Debt amount:
$1500
Date debt issued:
Wednesday, 25 May 2016
Period debt occurred:
March 2016 to March 2017
Has your case been referred to a collection agency?:
No
Payment Type:
Austudy
Appealing Debt?:
Yes in process
Tell us about your debt and how has this affected you? e.g. anxiety levels, financial and accommodation stress: